The Penn's Grove record., 1887-03-12

Iii the mean time young EIVIn tau
not neglected to take a deep interest
III books aud by judicions reading a
laid itch stores Of knowledge by for III
tune usefulness. lie had few eompah-
ions. The upright character, broader
views aud ripper opinions of the youth
with an inclination to be reserved made
him less popular with those of his age
but those who were well acquainted
with him cherished his %sociability and
friendship. From early childhood
Gildon seemed to have possessed a deep
conviction Of moral responsibility ana
tlOughtfulnesS of others which prop
ably arose from religious associa-
lions and from training. A few mel
dents will illustrate the early bent oil
the youthful sapling which grew to be-
50 strong aud truthful tor the divine
master. As the perfumes from the
blossoms of the spring time of youth
toretells the luscious fruit so did Mas
Ter Elyin give early evidence of that
rounded Christian character which
shoiie for with Christ redeeming rays
IN the prime of his manhood.
Before leaving Hull for Winestead
Hall, he with the other children went
with his step-father and gOveTness to
look at a large Methods; church which
was III the progress of building on the
Beverly Road. Sometime after enter
ing the church Master Gildon was lost.
One of the other children called
Master Gilly, where are you.' ME
in pulpit" 'What are you dOing?"
Me wishing some day | may be a
preacher" He was then only five
years old. One day Mrs. Holden was
going up to London and asked Master
Gildon what toy he would like to have
brought him. He said he did not care
for any toy but would so much like to
have a little book about Jesus. If lie
saw any one doing wrong he would
admonish them by holding up his flu
ger and telling them that their sins
would be sure to find them out. If
asked out to tea he would remind
them TO ask a blessing before eating
and before leaving would say now we
must have a little prayer. He was a
great favOrite with Mrs. Holden who
often took him with her in the car.
riage. One day when out Master Gill
don saw a poor small hoy who sat cry
G by the way side. He begged the
coachman to stop, which he did. Mas
ter Gildon got out and asked the boy
what he was crying for. The little
boy said he was crying for bread.
Master Gildon gave the boy a shilling
| the only shilling he had. Mrs. Holden
was so touched by the incident that
she cried when she told his mother.
While at Haddonfield in January
1877 he was soundly converted in a five
O'Clock early morning prayer meeting
under the ministry of Rev. j. G. Crate.
He at once became al earnest worker
in the Church and Sa hbath school and
was licensed as an eXhorter by Rev.
J.. II. Mickle in 1873. At the Haddon-
field Quarterly Conference, 1879 he,
was licensed a local prercher by Rev.
J. b. Graw, D. D., Presiding Elder.
In the spring of 1880 he was
stationed at Cross Keys under Pre-
siding Elder Graw. His opinions of
his new undertaking is found in a let
ter to his mother in May in which he
says. 81 like my appointment very
much. | am beginning to feel at home
Ia my new life. 1t was rather strange
at first coming right out of a black
smith shop into. a pulpit. Quite a
contrast but by the grace of God L
shall be enabled to accomplish it,"
A clipping from IA paper says: This
Wednesday morning Rev. G. Elvin,
formerly of Haddonlield, now with
his first charge at Cross Keys, caused
the people to forget the boyish face
that peered over the pulpit and think
only OF the sage thoughts so eloquently
expressed" In his first charge he
was very successful, ~forty-four proba-
TONERS being added to the Church.
Rev. j. Il. Downer, who was an inti-
mate friend of Mr.. Elyin writes as
follows of his advent into his minister
ial career.
"Seven years ago on II beautiful
| spring Sabbath morning a rosy checked
| youth tripped lightly into an outskirt
| school house Oh Cross Keys charge
where a little company of Christians
and friends had come together to wor-
| ship God and to see the new preae her.
His thoughtful face, refined air and in
teresting name commanded attention
and impressed the people, while, in a
practical style, he expounded to them
from Paul's first C%orinthian Epistle.
And | brethern, when l came to you,
come not with eXcellency OF speech, or
of wisdom declaring nto you the tes-
timony of Cod Among those who
came to hear him In the school house
was the school-mistress whose interest
in the strange young preacher even
tually become the deepest of ali.
In this incident, amid the ~soughing
of the pure and balmy spring time
breezes through the forest of pines, in
which the humble school house nestled
with 4 grove of building oaks across
the way, nature, love and grace quiv-
cred out a sN eet and harmonious strain
Of Joy at the beginning of Il successful
! Ciristian ministry and the foundation
Of IA Christian family. Gildon Elvin
was of striking history and the air OF
| romance hung about all his ministry.
lie seemed diff Ell ent from all other
preachcrs-trom all other men. OF
prodigious memory, with a keen analy-